Whether you are straight or gay, whatever you sexual orientation and gender identity, this is your day too. Have a very happy one with your loved ones, or find the one, if you wish too.

Yours,

x mika

***Wikipedia: Saints Sergius and Bacchus (also Serge and Bacchus or Sergios kai Bakchos or Sarkis wa Bakhos), were third century Roman soldiers who are commemorated as martyrs by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. [...]

Sergius and Bacchus are noted as a classic example of paired saints; scholar John Boswell considers them to be the most influential example of such a pair, even better an example of such an archetype than Saints Peter and Paul. In his book Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe, Boswell further argues that Sergius and Bacchus's relationship can be understood as having a romantic dimension, noting that the oldest text of their martyrology describes them as erastai, which can be translated as "lovers".t He suggested controversially that the two were even united in a rite known as adelphopoiesis or (brother-making), which he argued was a type of early Christian same-sex union or blessing, reinforcing his view of tolerant early Christian attitudes toward homosexuality. However, Boswell's methodology and conclusions have been critically challenged by historians including David Woods, Robin Darling Young, and Brent Shaw.***
I like the way Gay Spirituality blog put it: "The couple was openly gay, but secretly Christian -- the opposite of today’s closeted Christians."
***

And here is an extract from the Armenian church's website (in Armenian) about our legendary epic hero Sasuntsi Davit (David of Sasun) and St Sarkis kiss. I find this extract hilarious and could not resist posting it here too :)

There have already been church inspired voices from Georgia opposing this resolution.

Georgian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, Vatican's envoy to Georgia, leaders of Jewish and Muslim communities in Georgia jointly condemned PACE’s plan to debate this resolution (Information is in Georgian language). I am amused with displays of such a unity when it comes to opposing human rights. It would have been sweet, if not so tragic and ironic. They are so out of touch with realities.

In a related development, Georgia’s Christian Democrats announced they will oppose PACE resolution. Ironically, they are members of the “Liberal fraction” in the PACE.

Georgia's Christian Democrats are to oppose proposals to protect sexual minorities when they come before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) this week.

The party's spokesperson, and PACE member, Magda Anikashvili (pictured) said, according to "Gruzia Online", the proposals were "contrary to both our history and our spirituality."

The Christian Democrats sit in the Liberal fraction in the PACE. [...]

Georgia remains one of the most homophobic countries in Europe. It is widely believed that the current government legislated to decriminalise same sex relationships with no enthusiasm and simply to meet the criteria of the Council of Europe. The Christian Democrats, however, opposed even that and recently called for homosexuality to be recriminalised - a move that could eventually see Georgia expelled from the Council of Europe if it were ever enacted.

I wonder how Armenian delegation will vote. Will keep an eye on developments. Armenian representatives should not follow Georgian voices in opposing this resolution, which will contradict Armenia's signatures under the UN statement and (similar in spirit) EU statements.

I posted about this before. As of today, slightly more than 50% of necessary money was pledged. Please, help fund this important Armenian LGBT-related book project by the Women-Oriented Women's (WOW) Collective.

The correspondence includes original emails (in Armenian and in English) written by members of WOW discussing the foundation of the collective, the conceptual details and debates about outreach, awareness, art projects such as “Coming To You To Not Be With You” (August 3-4, 2008), and other important conversations on LGBT issues in Armenia. Some discussion threads include the translation and coining of new phrases in Armenian regarding gender and sexuality, accounts of coming out to self and family, and arguments on the goals of a feminist art collective to present radical views on gender. The book is scheduled for publication in August 2010.

Relatively OK story by Yerevan daily Hraparakon local gay Armenian woman (in Armenian), except for the use of “hamaseramol” (once) - unacceptable way of referring to gays in Armenian, and the reference to “որքան էլ մեռած են կանացի բնազդները”...
***

Saturday, 16 January 2010

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As a result of a recent public opinion poll conducted by the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB) and LOLO children’s journal, the Common Crane was recognized as `Bird of 2010 ` in Armenia. [...]

ASPB is the representative of BirdLife International in Armenia. LOLO is a children’s intellectual journal intended for children. as well as their parents.

Adhering to the motto “Gay, Smart and Bold”, the magazine is aimed at broadening children’s scope of mind, developing their taste and boundaries of cognition. It covers various themes including sports, music, painting, literature, zoology, science, history and intellectual games.

/emphasis mine; picture - PanARMENIAN/
***

I know, they use “gay” meaning “cheerful” here. Still, could not hide my smile reading this news :)))

Azeri Transsexuals Face Social StigmaSex change just the first hurdle as society fails to accept gender reassignment.

By Leyla Leysan in Baku (CRS No. 527, 15-Jan-10)

Inga Ivanova seems like a normal 23-year-old woman as she sits in central Baku in light make-up, a jumper and jeans, but her story is one rarely heard in Azerbaijan. She was born a boy.

“I felt like a woman in a man’s body ... passers-by used to avoid me. I was never flamboyant, I did not shock people, I tried to hide who I was, that I was breaking away from normal modes of behaviour, but all the same I was different,” she said.

On leaving school, like any young Azeri male, she had to report for military service, and was sent for a hospital examination. Experts declared her unfit to serve in the army, clearing the way for her to do what only 100 or so Azeris had done before her – undergo gender reassignment surgery.

She turned to the internet for information on the procedure, since the Azeri health authorities offered no help. Without medical supervision or support she put herself through the necessary hormone therapy. A year later, the Funda medical centre completed the physical operation to remove her male sexual organs.

But that was not the end of her troubles. Azerbaijan has inherited the bureaucracy-heavy system of the Soviet Union, and she must gain a new passport in her new name to have access to any state services. There is no legal regulation of gender reassignment surgery or transsexuals, so this is proving difficult, not least because doctors refuse to conduct any tests on her.

“Now I am trying to get a psychiatrist to give me the correct diagnosis – transsexualism – and even this is proving very hard. It is a rare case, and legally there is nothing written down about the basis or conduct of sex reassignment surgery and the rights of a citizen afterwards. To get a passport, I will need – after getting a certificate – to appeal to a court,” she said.

Transsexualism was classified as a psychological illness early in the 20th century, and there has been no modernisation of the state’s position since.

“All attempts to ‘normalise’ transsexuals have always failed. The only successful way to ‘treat’ such people is for them to live as a person of the other sex, which is what they psychologically are,” said Jamal Azimzade, the senior specialist at the Funda medical centre. He said the first sex change operation in Azerbaijan was conducted in 2002.

“A 26-year-old man, who completely felt himself to be a woman, appealed to me. He thought of his sexual organs as revolting. The operation was conducted over three stages and ended well. However, the ‘new’ young woman was forced to leave the country for social reasons. People who change their sex in our country are forced to live with their old documents, to undergo military service and struggle with a load of other unpleasantness as a consequence of their lack of documents.”

He said transsexuals were also often the target of aggression and hatred, for example when they try to work or have to present their documents.

“Before undergoing the gender reassignment operation, the patient must go through several stages, including talking to a psychiatrist, since this is a serious step in a person’s life that cannot be undone,” Azimzade said, adding that he normally refused to talk to the media about his work.

“Representatives of the media normally are looking for sensation, and report this problem non-objectively, misinforming their readers and viewers, thus plunging the problem into even deeper misunderstanding.”

Azerbaijan has very few resources for transsexuals, although one man trying to help is Kamran Rzayev, chairman of the Union for Gender Development and Enlightenment, who said around 60 people had turned to his organisation for help.

“Of course, there are many more of them, but many do not know that there is somewhere they can go for help. In Azerbaijan, people with ‘gender denial syndrome’ are completely without rights. The level of discrimination against these people is very high, since transsexuals lose their right to work, to leisure and even to security. Going outside they risk not only being mocked, but also being beaten,” he said.

“It’s not just that these people suffer from childhood and made to feel outcasts, they do not even have the right to a normal life. Because of the ‘disagreement’ between their external appearance and what is written in their documents, they cannot get a decent job. Therefore they are often forced to earn money from prostitution, which turns society against them even more. Many turn to this to earn money for the operation and the hormone therapy, which does not come cheap.”

He said the government needed to change the law to allow transsexuals to gain new documents without the humiliation they currently face.

“Specifically, we need a new law on gender identity, which would regulate the process of getting new documents. Then a transsexual could gain a new passport without a court decision, just on the basis of a psychiatrist’s decision,” he said.

“Even in Islamic Iran, where homosexuality is prosecuted, they address gender dysphoria issues normally. According to Islamic law, transsexuals are considered acceptable on the basis of religious teaching.”

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

I recommend reading this roundup of selected blog posts from the South Caucasus related to societal attitudes to sex, gender, sexuality...

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, hopes that new freedoms would quickly replace the old have often been dashed by the re-emergence of patriarchal, conservative and traditional practices. Largely kept suppressed by the communist system, and exaggerated by the exodus of many who might have formed the middle classes during the economic collapse of the 1990s, gender and issues of sexuality were particularly affected.

True, homosexuality has been decriminalized, although homophobia remains a significant problem, and new freedoms might have “liberated” a minority of citizens in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, but sexuality remains a contentious issue for society as a whole. [...]

Saturday, 9 January 2010

He is one of my all time favourite film directors. For me, he is an Armenian gay icon. And not only for me... for many LGBT Armenians, Georgians, Ukrainians, Russians.... world-wide.

It's with great pleasure, I'd like to let you know that for the first time, a large scale Parajanov festival will be staged in London (+ Bristol) over February-May 2010.

Paradjanov won countless awards, including the British Academy Award for his film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. He is highly acclaimed worldwide, yet his work remains virtually unknown in the UK. The Paradjanov Festival will be an important event in the cultural scenes of London and Bristol, being the first complete showcase of Paradjanov’s films and art. The film programme will be enriched with a photographic exhibition; a contemporary art installation; a symposium; a workshop for kids and adults; a concert; meetings and talks. The events will take place at the British Film Institute (BFI Southbank), the National Theatre (NT), Ciné Lumière, Pushkin House, St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, Arnolfini (Bristol), The Bristol Gallery and will be introduced by distinguished guests that have had first-hand experience of working with Paradjanov.

The Paradjanov Festival is curated in conjunction with the BFI Southbank.

There will be a retrospective of Parajanov’s films at BFI Southbank (1-17 March 2010).

BFI Southbank will host a season of Sergei Paradjanov’s films that will include his acclaimed features, short films and a number of documentaries about his life and work by renowned filmmakers from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. Some of the screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions with friends, collaborators and experts.

Contemporary artist Mat Collishaw exhibition: “To coincide with our wider celebrations of the work of Paradjanov at BFI Southbank taking place this month, Collishaw has created a mesmerising new exhibition for the Gallery inspired by the work of the Armenian director.” (26 Feb - 9 May 2010)

Also, a symposium on Parajanov’s legacy (6 March 2010) and workshop of “creating artwork à la Paradjanov” (13 March 2010) will be organised.

To Yuri Mechitov, Paradjanov was not only one of the world’s greatest filmmakers but also a close friend, an inspiring teacher and, quite simply, an extraordinary man. This exhibition is composed of rarely seen photographs taken by Mechitov during their 11-year friendship.

The moments captured by Mechitov’s camera reveal a kaleidoscope of amusing situations, contrasting moods, remarkable filmmaking occasions and expressive backdrops. Yuri Mechitov has exhibited all over the world and has recently published Sergei Paradjanov: Chronicle of the Dialogue. This is the first showing of his work in the UK.

Pushkin House

A presentation of Mechitov’s album will be at Pushkin House on 26 Feb.

Roman Balayan (5 March 2010): "An Armenian filmmaker, who made most of his films at the legendary Dovzhenko Film Studios. Roman Balayan considers himself a student of Sergei Paradjanov. Although different in his aesthetic approach, he undoubtedly shares with Paradjanov a belief in cinema as a form of art, which is amply demonstrated in the films he has created over a period of some four decades."

Guard Me, My Talisman
1986, 74 min
Starring: Oleg Yankovsky, Tatyana Drubich, Aleksandr Abdulov and Aleksandr Zbruev. Set against the backdrop of the Pushkin autumn festival in Boldino, the film tells the story of a love triangle between Aleksei, his wife and Dmitri. As their passions get out of control, Aleksei, inspired by the occasion, decides to put an end to it all in the manner of his favourite poet. The film will be introduced by the director and a Q&A session will follow the screening.

Using the occasion, Cine Lumier in London will showcase few films by Roman Balayan on 9-10 March 2010.

There will be a Parajanov’s film retrospective and photo exhibition in April in Bristol too.

St Yeghishe Armenian church in London

Glad to see Parajanov related events to be supported by the Armenian church in London, as reported by festival’s website.

The concert at St Yeghiche church commemorating the Maestro’s life and work will reveal the distinctive spirit of Caucasian music, enriched by the visual accompaniment of Paradjanov’s photographs and films extracts. The concert is organised with the blessing of HG Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian.

However, Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian is retiring (there will be a farewell concert in his honour on 24 January 2010), and as of today, there is no indication of above event on church’s website.

Btw, today is Parajanov’s birthday. Happy bday, Parajanov!! x

*I made this pictures outside the museum of Parajanov in Yerevan, Armenia

Tuesday, 5 January 2010

"Marc Jacobs made an honest man out of Lorenzo Martone this week, by marrying him in a private ceremony in St. Barts. Following the ceremony, the couples were feted at an exclusive private dinner hosted by Larry Gagosian [...]

The most adorable part of their wedding? The cake toppers, which were molded to look exactly like the couple, with mini-Lorenzo in a tux, and mini-Marc wearing his signature kilt and no shirt so as to best showcase his Sponge Bob Squarepants tattoo. Also joining them on top of the cake was Jacobs' pitbull Daisy."

The European Union condemns the recent murders of civil society and media representatives or their relatives in Honduras and expresses its solidarity with their families. It is important that an investigation of these murders is conducted promptly, transparently and thoroughly. The perpetrators of the murders must be brought to justice.

The European Union draws special attention to the murder of Walter Trochez who worked as a human rights defender of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and as a member of the National Front of Resistance in Honduras on 13 December, as well as to the murder of Katherine Nicolle Rodríguez Cabrera, the sixteen year-old daughter of journalist Karol Cabrera, on 17 December.

The European Union recalls the obligation of the Honduran authorities to protect the human rights, including the freedom of expression, and the personal security of all persons in Honduras and calls upon all political groups in Honduras to abstain from acts of violence. In this regard, the EU urges the Honduran authorities to do everything in their power to ensure the protection of human rights defenders, in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The European Union also underlines the principle of non-discrimination, which requires that human rights apply equally to every human being, regardless, inter alia, of sexual orientation or gender identity as outlined in the UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

"The Candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process."